Introduction:

Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of muscle mass, characterized by a decrease in muscle mass and strength. The prevalence of sarcopenia is higher in diabetes, with predictors including inflammation, increased oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and advanced glycation end products, among others.

Objective:

To determine the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who attend outpatient clinics at the Central Police Hospital in Asunción, Paraguay, during the period 2024-2025.

Methodology:

An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational design was used. The sampling type was non-probabilistic, consecutive cases. The study population consisted of Caucasian men and women aged 18 to 70 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical variables were measured. Anthropometric and clinical factors associated with sarcopenia were investigated using the chi-square test.

Results:

Eighty-nine patients were studied. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 21.35%, and 50% of patients with sarcopenia had dynapenia. Females predominated (62.92%), and the mean age was 65 ± 10 years. The mean duration of diabetes was 9.5 ± 6.2 years, the mean muscle mass was 14.6 ± 2.6 kg, the BMI was 26.6 ± 3.7 kg/m², and the waist circumference was 93.8 ± 10.3 cm.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with diabetes was 21.35%, and the factors associated with anthropometric variables were statistically significant.

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